5. The Psychology of Burnout: Symptoms, Science, and Solutions
Let’s talk about something that you likely know well — burnout.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re running on fumes, questioning your purpose, or just too exhausted to care, this week's podcast episode will answer all those questions.
It’s probably no surprise that I’ve experienced burnout. In just a few years, I went from running a household with two babies to managing a household and building a school playground. Then, soon after, my mom passed away.
I was managing a household and running a successful business. I even received a Top 40 Under 40 award for it all, but recognition didn’t slow the burnout train.
It took me five years to seek support for burnout, and while it helped, it wasn’t enough.
Four years later, after caring for my grandmother until her passing, I hit a breaking point.
I wasn’t sleeping.
I had gained weight.
I honestly thought I had dementia.
Clearly, I wasn’t happy.
Eventually, I had no choice but to leave my job.
🚨 This is important —> Burnout isn’t just being tired — it’s a full-body, full-heart experience that changes the way we see ourselves and the world.
Here’s the kicker — burnout isn't about overworking. It’s about working in a way that drains us.
It doesn’t happen overnight — it’s a slow erosion. And it starts when we stay in a state of chronic stress for too long.
I had incredibly high expectations of myself. I thought I should be able to maintain the level of productivity I had on my most productive days. I beat myself up when I got distracted, tired, or bored.
Life became a grind and was not much fun.
If you're seeing any of these things going on in your life, you don't want to miss this week's episode.
You'll hear about:
The crucial difference between burnout and fatigue
The science and psychology of burnout, explore its causes, solutions, and how we can prevent and recover from it
My personal experiences with burnout, including how chronic stress affected my life and led to significant challenges
The 3 stages of burnout
Practical strategies that helped me come out the other side of burnout
I hope this episode gives you helpful insights on managing and preventing burnout effectively so you can live a more balanced and joy-filled life.
Learn more, and beat overwhelm and burnout for good when you sign up for The Overwhelm Cure Workshop happening in March.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Burnout
00:36 A Personal Burnout Story
01:45 Understanding Burnout
02:32 Burnout in Youth
04:39 Recognizing Burnout Patterns
21:42 Stages of Burnout
27:47 Recovering from Burnout
33:33 Strategies to Combat Burnout
39:54 Final Thoughts and Workshop Invitation
